Eliza McGraw on Jewish Identity in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

TONIGHT (Tues., May 12) Eliza McGraw, author of Two Covenants: Twentieth-Century Representations of Southern Jewishness will introduce a special screening of the 1968 film adaptation of “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center. Dr. McGraw’s introduction will focus on John Singer’s Jewish identity as well as the gaps created by surveys of southern culture that rarely assess the contributions of Jews and histories of Jews in America and living in the American South.

The Washington DC Jewish Community Center posted more about the event and Jewish identity in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter on the 16thstreetj blog yesterday:

http://16thstreetj.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/spotting-the-jewish-in-the-heart-is-a-lonely-hunter/

Dr. McGraw's expertise extends beyond southern culture and sensibilities. She is an expert equestrian. Her recent book, Greatest Kentucky Derby Upsets, came off the press in 2007 and is now begging for an update thanks to this year's long-shot, Mine That Bird (50-1). In an email chat, I asked McGraw if she saw that coming:

I definitely did not see that long shot coming. I was pulling for Pioneer of the Nile, because I am a Bob Baffert fan and believe he is due for a comeback. (But the last time I picked a Derby winner was Silver Charm, so I don't have a very good record as a handicapper.)


The Washington DCJCC is located at 1529 16th Street, NW - use 16th Street entrance. The introduction and film begin at 7 PM. For information, email info@wjff.org, or call 202-777-3248.